1726 July 14 (Thursday). I was much taken up with Looking out for Labour about my Barley Harvest. Isaac and Hezekiah Pratt[1] mow’d it in the first of the afternoon. I was some time in Conversation at Neighbor Clarks with him and Mr. Rice. [Blot] Molly[2] not well.
[1]Both of Westborough.
[2]Mrs. Parkman.
1726 July 15 (Friday). My Wife Complaining of weakness. Neighbor Maynard came to make up my Barley and get it in. My Studys minded.
1726 July 16 (Saturday). My Barley Secur’d by Neighbor Maynard and his son. Molly was much indispos’d and I sent Yesterday to Marlborough for Mrs. Williams but she was not there. To Day I sent Hannah Peterson to her house, but she sent me Reasons she thought Sufficient for her not coming. We were very low at the news my wife being oppress’d with Every illness: The Procidentia, etc., the turning of her Milk, Her Mouth Obstructed, pain in her Breast, and great pain and weakness in Every part.
1726 July 17 (Sunday). My Wife rose out of Bed but exceeding ill, bound together with her Excessive pains; came down; I’m afraid took Some Air at the Door; grew much worse. I got her up Stairs in order to go to Bed again, but she almost swoon’d away. Recovering a little from her faintings, She demonstrated to us that she was in grievous agonies. She undress’d and with the Tenderest Help [of] her Mother and myself She was assisted to Bed. But Every maladie was Enraged, by Every weakness and discouragement left almost Lifeless. I walked a little in the Room, her mother holding in one hand her hand, her other laid upon her Head. I cast my Eyes now and then upon her and Concluded she was drowsing, but I went to her to look upon her, and Spoke to her. Receiving no kind of Return Her Mother put her hand to her mouth. I urg’d Some Testification or sign, but none being given; but she lay in a profound stillness when as though had hitherto been vigorously strugling Her Teeth were set, her Limbs Cold, her Eyes Distorted, and very Little Life any where perceptible, when her Mother gave me the word that She was Dying. How I felt outgoes Description. I hastened the Maid to Mrs. Forbush. My Wife Lay for the space of 3 quarters of or altogether an hour I suppose in such a Condition. O Dismal Hour, wherein the Struggle with my heart for her Division was like the Rending the Soul from the Body! It was truly a most gloomy Time! Mrs. Forbush came just when She spoke, a Galbunum Plaister was taken off which was too strong for her. Something was given her and She Revid’d a little but Continued in the Last Extremitys. It was a Reprieve but it Seem’d a Short one. We Expected we must be Rent asunder this Day! It grew more and more Intollerable! I was full of prayers and anon I had Some Hope. I grew more Confirmed in Hope. It brought fresh to my Mind all the Bitter Sufferings of her Dark friday, Ever long, about nine Months before, wherein I had the Same prospects. The Salvations of God then, strengthened my Trust in him. She became more sensible. We Encouraged ourselves in the Lord and He show’d us his Mercy. While We have any being let us praise the Lord! It grew very Late, but Leaving her under the Divine Protection, and to the care of Mrs. Forbush and Madame Maynard I repair’d to the House of God. Our Devotions, if they were fervent, they were short. Mrs. Peterson came and by various Applications she grew more Easy. I was full of Thankfullness and went again to the public worship, Mrs. Bayles tarrying with her. Our Text a.m. and p.m. was Jer. 4.14. She continued extream bad. I sent Daniel Hardy[1] to Mr. Barrett. Mrs. Peterson watch’d. I have almost utterly forgot what became of me that night. (Now I recollect.) Mr. Barrett came. He said and did very little. He gave us an account of what Mrs. Whitcomb had sent. He gave us better Balsom of Fennel for her violent Fever, gave her some Tent wine.[2] He pray’d with us. We lodg’d together.
[1]Of Westborough.
[2]A deep red wine of low alcoholic content obtained chiefly from Spain.
1726 July 18 (Monday). Molly was further revived, and though she was very weak, yet she was all Day much more comfortable. Mr. Barrett went away about 8 o’Clock. Mrs. Maynard watch’d.
1726 July 19 (Tuesday). Molly grew worse by a vomiting flux; the Morning very grievous. I sent Phinehas Hardy[1] to Mr. Barrett who sent us Some plaisters and more Tent. She was somewhat better in the Afternoon; by various Applications the Flux Stay’d till night. Mrs. Thurston[2] watch’d. These Dayes I could do little besides reading Mr. Shepherds Sincere Convert[3] and Dr. Edward’s Exercitations Critic. Philosoph. Historic Theog. on Some S.S. Martha Becom an Indian came.[4]
[1]Of Westborough.
[2]Mrs. Joseph Thurston of Westborough.
[3]Thomas Shepherd, The Sincere Convert, Discovering the Small Number of True Believers, and the Great Difficulty of Saving Conversion (Cambridge, 1664).
[4]One of the works of John Edwards, D.D. (1637-1716), the English divine. Parkman possessed several of the books of Edwards. See DeForest and Bates, Westborough, pp. 73-75. [Addition to Walett’s footnote: John Edwards, Exercitations Critical, Philosophical, Historical, Theological: on Several Important Places in the Writings of the Old and New Testament. In Two Parts (London, 1702).]
1726 July 20 (Wednesday). And this morning Joshua Misco[1] and his Squa howed my Corn. I went in the Afternoon to seek Labourers. At Peres Rice’s[2] was one Stearns[3] of Sutton, who was full of inconsistance about the Affairs of Mr. McKinstry and the Doctrines he had delivered. When I came home my wife had been (tho’ without any the least Reason) very much affrighted with the Indians, and full fear of what they might do. And yet there was no greater peace and good Temper than they Demonstrated and went away soberly to their Lodging in the neighborhood. She was not well pleas’d with her Mother; and left with me Notwithstanding Necessity call’d me forth; and I took a Season when Company was with her. But the Weakness of her Body brought strange apprehensions in the mind.
[1]One of the Indian proprietors of Hassanamisco.
[2]Perez Rice of Westborough.
[3]Either Ebenezer Stoms or Samuel Stearns.
1726 July 21 (Thursday). Asher Rice mow’d a part of the day. Fitting weather. The Indians finished my Corn and went off.
1726 July 23 (Saturday). Father Champney came up.
1726 July 24 (Sunday). I preach’d in the morn on Jer. 4.14. Afternoon upon Prov. 29.1. My wife recovering.
1726 July 25 (Monday). It was Father Champneys Design to have carryed Mother Home, yet She could not Safely leave her Daughter. My Father made up my Hay. I rak’d myself I suppose an hour. And before noon he went away for home. Whitcomb here all night.
1726 July 27 (Wednesday). I read Occasionall papers, Vol. 2.
1726 July 28 (Thursday). I preach’d a Lecture at Shrewsbury. My Text was 1 Cor. 16.22. I was with Captain Keyes[1] at his Sons who treated us with Brandy and Brandy punch. I returned in the Evening. Neighbor Clark reaping my maslin.[2]
[1]John Keyes of Shrewsbury.
[2]Mixed grain, especially rye mixed with wheat.
1726 July 29 (Friday). William Clark reap’d half the Day and this finish’d my maslin. Nothing obstructed my Diligent application to my Preparations.
1726 July 30 (Saturday). The frequent showers so Engaged Everyone about his Corn and Hay that it was no Easy matter to Obtain Help. It was with great Difficulty I got Neighbor Clark and his son to Shock my grain, which having layn long in the Field in all weathers and a threatening storm nigh, I was Restless till the Grain my Chief Dependance was upon [was] Secur’d. Shall I note here the Answers given by Two persons that my wife remark’d when she sent to Neighbor Clarks for assistance. Neighbor Clarks grain was upon Spoil and he was reaping it. He had Many (I think Ten) load of Hay that had been very long in cock in the Meadows and must be Tho’t to be rotting. Himself lame in his hand, besides his common lameness in his Leggs. His Son, who was all his Help, had hurt his ancle, and therefore he directed the messinger to ask Neighbor Maynard who had his own, his sons David, Jesse, Josham, Jonathan and Ebenezer’s Help, though one or Two of the last were not like the others. His Business in Good forwardness. He [Maynard] Replys when my Grass and Corn will move into my Barn without hands I’ll leave it to Help Mr. Parkman — not before. The Messenger returns to Neighbor Clark. He answers what shall I do? My own is really Suffering and Everything is backward for want of a Team, for I have none and can get none, But he is Labouring for our Souls and why Shall I refuse? and came away.
1726 July 31 (Sunday). I preach’d a.m. and p.m. on Prov. 29.1. I was very weary at noon, and I had the Toothach. Neighbor Grove din’d with me. At Night I was much more weary. Our Repetitions were omitted.
1726 August 1 (Monday). I stir’d myself pritty much about my Hay, raking etc. Just before Even I walk’d down to See Neighbor John Maynard who lay ill. I pray’d with him.
1726 August 2 (Tuesday). Our Mother Champney with my Child rode to Cambridge, stopping only at Livermores.[1] Got down about 5 p.m. though we set out at almost 10 a.m. We had a comfortable Journey. But we found sister Ruth ill. Brother Samuel Parkman happened to come up here and return’d again. Sister Lydia[2] and I walk’d over to Brother Hicks’.[3] She went to the Docters and then we returned home.
[1]Joseph Livermore of Framingham.
[2]Lydia Champney, Parkman’s sister-in-law.
[3]John Hicks of Cambridge, Parkman’s brother-in-law.
1726 August 4 (Thursday). I bought Mr. Willard on the Catechism,[1] price 55 Shillings. My appointment was to go back to Cambridge this morning and to proceed as far on my Journey as the Time would permit. I sat tediously waiting for my Horse, but not coming I neither went to Lecture nor any whither else all Day. About Sun setting Brother came and then I came to Cambridge.
[1]Samuel Willard, A Compleat Body of Divinity in Two Hundred and Fifty Expository Lectures on the Assembly’s Shorter Catechism (Boston, 1726). Sibley, II, 13-36
1726 August 5 (Friday). Leaving Sister Ruth[1] very ill I rode as far as Captain Brintnalls[2] where I waited for his Son some time, but not coming I hasted to Marlborough. I din’d at Mr. Woods.[3] Was at Mr. Brecks[4] — for there was no little need of Resting, it was so exceeding hot. Thence (Gladly) home. But here the Evening was very disconsolate! My Wife was on the Bed lonely but sadly weeping, oppress’d and discourag’d with her own Pains and ills, and with the Sicknesses of many in the Town. Sarjeant Rice,[5] and Son Eleazer,[6] Neighbor Maynard, Asher Rice, and Jeduthan[7] Fay all suddenly taken and very bad each with scorching fevers.
[1]Ruth Champney, Parkman’s sister-in-law.
[2]William Brintnall of Sudbury.
[3]Benjamin Woods of Marlborough.
[4]Reverend Robert Breck of Marlborough.
[5]Edmund Rice, an original settler of Westborough.
[6]Eleazer Rice lived in southwestern Marlborough but was admitted to the church in Westborough.
[7]Son of Samuel and Tabitha Fay.
1726 August 6 (Saturday). My Wife was better. I rested myself, till Mr. Cushing came in the Afternoon. I rode to Shrewsbury. Very hot indeed all the last 3 dayes.
1726 August 7 (Sunday). I preach’d a.m. on Eccl. 11.8; p.m. on Rom. 1.20. The Heat to Day also was very Tedious. But after Exercises the Heavens grew Black and we had great Rains till Sunset when I rode Back home.
1726 August 8 (Monday). I went to see Mr. Maynard and then Mr. Rice and his Son with all which I pray’d.
1726 August 9 (Tuesday). I was Requested to Mr. Rice’s to assist him in settling his worldly Estate and Setting his house in order. Here was his Brother Joshua Rice.[1] I pray’d with him and his son.
[1]A proprietor of Worcester who later (unknown date) removed to Marlborough. Lincoln, Worcester, p. 45, 47.
1726 August 10 (Wednesday). I was at Mr. Rices again to finish his Last will and testament. Here was Captain Brigham[1] and Deacon Rice.[2] I pray’d here again. I call’d in to see Neighbor Maynard as I went home, and I pray’d with him likewise. In the Afternoon I rode out to See the Sick in the other parts of Town — Peres Rice and Jeduthan Fay.
[1]Nathan Brigham of Marlborough.
[2]Caleb Rice of Marlborough.
1726 August 11 (Thursday). Another, one Nathanael Child, taken ill.
1726 August 12 (Friday). Finished my Preparations. Very Sickly in Mendon and severall other Towns. Phinehas Hardy mow’d in my Lot for himself.
1726 August 13 (Saturday). Very Rainy. My wife not well.
1726 August 14 (Sunday). I preach’d all Day upon John 2.1. Edward Baker was propounded to the Church.
1726 August 15 (Monday). I was sent for to Mr. Rices. They apprehended him (according to his own phrase) near winding up. When I came to him the Springs of Life were very weak and Low. He could speak Yea or No but I had no answer from him to many Questions I asked him. I pray’d Earnestly for him; I discoursed to his Wife and Children and Friends about the Bed and then Solemnly bid him Farewell. He gave me fervent tokens and I Left him. He dy’d about an hour after. Captain Fay[1] and Two Sons came to take care of Some Hay which Phinehas Hardy and Thomas Forbush, Junior[2] mow’d to Day for me.
[1]Of Westborough.
[2]Son of the Westborough selectman.
1726 August 16 (Tuesday). In the Morning Prescot[1] a Young Scholar and my wife’s remote Kinsman came to See us, but tarried but an hour or Two. Mr. Edmund Rice’s Funerall, after which I visited Nathaniel Child and Asher Rice (sick).
[1]Peter Prescott (Harvard 1730). Son of Dr. Jonathan Prescott of Concord. Sibley, VIII, 772-774.
1726 August 17 (Wednesday). I prepar’d for my Lecture. Phinehas and his Brother Daniel[1] mow’d for me to Day. Captain Fay came and Two Sons (but one finding himself not well returned home) and with his Team and got in part of my Hay. He left his Team with me. My Wife rode away from us for Cambridge (the Lad John before her).
[1]Hardy brothers of Westborough.
